Villarsia

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Villarsia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Menyanthaceae Genus: Villasia Vent. 1803
Species
Villarsia albiflora Villarsia calthifolia Villarsia cambodiana Villarsia capensis Villarsia capitata Villarsia congestiflora Villarsia exaltata Villarsia goldblattiana Villarsia lasiosperma Villarsia latifolia Villarsia manningiana Villarsia marchantii Villarsia parnassifolia Villarsia reniformis Villarsia submersa Villarsia umbricola Villarsia violifolia

Villarsia is a genus of aquatic flowering plants in the family Menyanthaceae. The genus is named for the French botanist Dominique Villars (1745-1814). Villarsia are wetland plants with basal leaves. The inflorescence is a branched panicle with numerous flowers. Flowers are five-parted, either yellow or white, and the petals are adorned with wings.

Villarsia is largely restricted to Australia, but some species are found in Southeast Asia, and V. capensis and others exist in South Africa. The geographic distribution of species is given below:

South Africa:

• Villarsia capensis (Houtt.) Merr.
• Villarsia goldblattiana Ornduff
• Villarsia manningiana Ornduff

Southeast Asia:

• Villarsia cambodiana Hance (synonym: V. rhomboidalis Dop)

Western Australia:

• Villarsia albiflora F.Muell.
• Villarsia calthifolia F.Muell.
• Villarsia capitata Nees
• Villarsia congestiflora F.Muell.
• Villarsia lasiosperma F.Muell.
• Villarsia latifolia Benth.
• Villarsia marchantii Ornduff
• Villarsia parnassifolia (Labill.) R.Br.
• Villarsia submersa Aston
• Villarsia umbricola Aston

Eastern Australia:

• Villarsia exaltata (Sol. ex Sims) G.Don
• Villarsia reniformis R.Br.
• Villarsia violifolia F.Muell.